Artist • Expat • Traveler
Leaving the Netherlands was a breeze. Japan didn’t scare me, America didn’t intimidate and Canada is as easy-going as it gets. The thing that frightens me, is creating Art.
For the longest time, I believed I was the master of my craft. I strode into my studio with the confidence to create bodies of work like Traveling the World and World on Washi. In my bubble, I reigned supreme.
Then, one day I realized that the spaces I thought I controlled were fortified by the perceived expectations of the people around me. Their silent influence spawned countless rules, suffocating the artist within.
That’s when it hit me: I shouldn't be making the rules at all!
I have been creating Art for over fifteen years, and right now my studio in Canada is the most thrilling and liberating place I know. Here, the Art decides the destination, where it leads I will follow—unafraid, unapologetic, and untethered.
An old man once told me: “It’s dangerous to go alone!” So, will you join me on this quest?
Step into my world and join me on a journey through my inner landscape. Guided by color, texture, and emotion we will explore ‘Unveiling’, a realm of endless possibilities.
Let’s embark on an adventure of self-expression, where every brushstroke is there not because it’s perfect, but because it’s true.
“expressing the power of being true to yourself”
I’m on an ongoing quest to find my true self.
1️⃣ I was born in Amsterdam
2️⃣ I have lived in Fort Worth, TX, USA, Montréal, Canada and Nagoya, Japan
3️⃣ I relax by riding horses and playing board games
4️⃣ I obsessively take photographs everywhere I go
5️⃣ I celebrate the freedom of self expression with every brush stroke
Why?
Every time I left a home behind, I shredded a layer of myself—only to discover that what remained was stronger, bolder, and more true.
As a child, I feared change and clung to familiarity, but as an adult, I chose the bold path of leaving everything I knew behind. Living in four different countries over the past 15 years offered constant opportunities for reinvention. Each place I’ve called home has shaped me, and every departure demanded the strength to start again.
Art has been my constant companion, offering stability in a life filled with change. Projects like Traveling the World and World on Washi helped me hold onto the pieces of myself I felt slipping away with every move. They were intricate, detailed, and controlled—beautiful reflections of a life in motion, carefully composed to meet the expectations I had internalized.
Painful as it is to admit, my path as an artist hasn't been entirely my own. As a trained illustrator, I had been taught to create for others, to prioritize their vision above my own. That mindset, paired with the influence of a deeply critical inner voice, left little space for joy or self-directed expression. In the studio, I judged every mark before it could take shape. I called it discipline. In truth, it was fear.
Through deep personal work and a conscious unlearning of old patterns, I’ve begun to let go. Let go of the rules. Let go of control.
Today, I paint from a place of curiosity and creative freedom. Each new piece is a journey through my inner landscape—beginning as a blank page, guided by color, texture, and emotion. I no longer force a destination. I follow where the work wants to go.
My sensitivity, my training, my past—all of it lives in the work. But now, I paint for myself first.
The result is a body of work that feels alive: vibrant, intuitive, and filled with exuberant energy. These paintings are my way of honoring both where I’ve been and who I’m becoming. They celebrate the strength it takes to be authentic in a world that often asks us to perform, and the joy that comes from creating without apology.
My art is an invitation: to let go of what holds you back, to trust your voice, to explore the unknown, and to let go of what no longer serves you. I hope those who encounter my work feel the permission to do the same—to step boldly into their own authenticity, not because it’s perfect, but because it’s true.
Short Artist CV
Upcoming Exhibitions
2026 - Solo Exhibition - Galerie La Seigneurie du Centre culturel Vanier, Châteauguay, Canada
Recent Exhibitions
2024 - ‘Soul & Cityscapes’, Solo Exhibition - Espace StJean, Montréal
2024 - July 11-14 - Hamptons Fine Art Fair - Southampton Fairgrounds, New York
2024 - April 7 - 10 - Art Expo New York - Pier 36, New York, United States.
2023 - Art Basel Miami (Spectrum) - Mana Wynwood, Miami, United States.
2023 - Artist Project - Better Living Center, Toronto, Canada.
2023 - Art Expo New York - Pier 36, New York, United States.
2022 - Memories of Japan - Latitude 44 Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2022 - IDS Vancouver 2022, Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, Canada.
2022 - ‘The Artist Project 2022', Queen Elizabeth Building, Toronto, Canada.
Awards
2018 - Foreign Minister Award. | Pictures >>
2017 - Foreign Artists Exhibition best in show award| Pictures >>
Selected Media Coverage
2022 - Auntie Lanette Show podcast
2020 - CTV Montréal
2019 - Interview, Radio Station Mino no wa, Mino, Japan.
2019 - CTV Montréal
2018 - UNESCO x BBuzzArt Medium.com article.
2018 - Interview, Cités Nouvelles.
2016 - VPR Radio.
2016 - Global TV.
2014 - The West Island Chronicle.
2013 - Art show review, Scandalmagazine.com.
2011 - Interview, CTV News.
Unveiling.
Drawing from over a decade and a half of experience, my series "Unveiling" explores this journey of self-expression, using layers of acrylics, washi paper, oil pastels, sand, and alcohol to evoke subtle textures and luminous effects. The process mirrors my path of peeling back layers of expectation to reveal something deeper and more authentic beneath the surface.
In my studio, I let the paintings lead, relinquishing control and allowing the work to unfold naturally. By embracing imperfection and unpredictability, I find freedom in the act of creation, and I invite others to experience the same.
In a world constantly seeking approval, I believe it is crucial to nurture our inner sanctuary. Through my work, I aim to create space for empowerment and emotional resilience, encouraging others to break free from perfectionism and external validation. My art is a call to embrace the beauty of imperfection, listen to our inner voices, and explore our true selves with courage. As I continue this journey, I look forward to seeing where my art will lead—to new destinations of creative freedom and personal empowerment.
Traveling the World.
In my ongoing body of work ‘Traveling the World, I combine my love of photography, painting and travel, creating condensed memories of my travels. Pulling elements from different locations in a city, I merge various photographs into a singular image. The physical layering of multiple acrylic transfers in combination with textured papers and acrylic paints on wood panels, results in powerful, graphic pieces that are at once contemporary and nostalgic.
Each piece in this series is like a moment frozen in time, telling an intimate story of my experience with the city and the people that populate it. Celebrating the unique architectural elements and highlighting its mundane, often overlooked, urban elements. My often equivocal titles provide a glimpse into my mind and the stories I imagined while creating the piece. A minimal use of colour helps the eye travel through the composition, adding to the story.
World on Washi
My on-going series ‘World on Washi’ is inspired by my three year stay in Japan. While there I was fascinated by all the traditional techniques and beautiful materials Japan has to offer and I made an effort to experience as many of them as I could. I fell in love with Washi (Japanese paper) and this, combined with a new found appreciation for Japanese minimalist esthetics, compelled me to blend my modern, image transfer techniques with traditional Japanese imagery and materials. Resulting in exquisitely vibrant pieces that highlight the beauty and delicacy of the Japanese paper and the alluring nature of their culture.
I miss the beauty of life in Japan every day, including Japanese techniques and materials in my work makes me feel more connected to this magical country. Each piece in this series is a celebration of the elegance and artistry that you experience in Japan on a daily basis. Like a moment frozen in time, these pieces tell an intimate story and show you little glimpses of my experiences living there. Leaving great portions of the sheet blank highlights the exquisite delicacy of the washi and gives the subject an unusual focus. My often equivocal titles provide a glimpse into my mind and the stories I remembered while creating the piece.
